WPD: Teen dragged by stolen SUV on Kellogg

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - Feb. 7, 2021 - A man arrested in connection to the death of a 13-year-old girl after she was dragged by a stolen vehicle had about a dozen other convictions before the deadly incident.

Kevin Palmer, 34, had about a dozen convictions in the past decade for theft, burglary, and fleeing police.

A GoFundMe has been set up to support the family of the 13-year-old.

Saturday evening update: Wichita police arrested 34-year-old Kevin Palmer of Wichita for felony murder in connection with a teenage girl who died after she was dragged by a stolen vehicle.

Officers responded to the call around noon on Saturday. A grey Ford Escape was traveling westbound on Kellogg at Meridian dragging the girl. Officers located the Ford Escape at Kellogg and West Street. The 13-year-old was caught on the outside of the vehicle. She was pronounced dead on the scene.

The investigation revealed the teen was sitting on the driver’s side rear of the Escape while it was parked outside of a nearby restaurant running. Her family went into the restaurant to get food as she remained in the vehicle. Palmer got into the driver’s seat and took off with the vehicle. The girl tried to get out of the vehicle while it was moving. As she exited, she got caught in the seatbelt on the outside of the vehicle. Palmer continued to drive for several miles.

A citizen saw the deadly situation, called 911, and followed the vehicle. At Kellogg and West Street, Palmer stopped the Escape and ran. He was quickly arrested by officers who arrived at the call.

“This is one of the saddest cases I have been associated with in my over 28 years of law enforcement,” Chief Gordon Ramsay said. “WPD sends its thoughts and prayers to family, friends, and others affected by this tragic incident.”

A GoFundMe page has been set up to assist the girl’s family with her funeral and burial.

The investigation is ongoing, and the case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office. Additionally, Palmer was previously convicted of multiple felony crimes. The case numbers associated with the cases are 21C007528 and 21C007542.

Fab. 6, 2021 2 p.m.: The Wichita Police Department received calls Saturday around noon of a female reported to be dragged by a car near Kellogg and West.

Police say the female was in the backseat of a family car when it was taken by a suspect. She tried to flee the vehicle, but was still attached to her seat belt, leaving her to be dragged behind.

The female was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect is in custody and the investigation is ongoing.

If anyone has any information on this case, they can call WPD detectives at 316-268-4407, the See Something Say Something hotline at 316-519-2282, or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.

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